Pro Toolshttps://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/Wed, 11 Sep 2019 19:01:17 +0000en-GBSite-Server v6.0.0-19924-19924 (http://www.squarespace.com)Pro Tools tips, tricks, support and news for users of Pro Tools. Free Pro <br/>Tools video tutorials and free Pro Tools plug-ins. We support both the <br/>music and post production community. We offer advice for users of all <br/>versions of Pro Tools both current and legacy formats. We’re independent <br/>and are not affiliated with Avid or their associated companies.Use MIDI Tools To Control Dynamic Range Instead Of Compression - Expert Video TutorialTutorialPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertSat, 14 Sep 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/09/09/use-midi-tools-to-control-dynamic-range-instead-of-compression-expert-video-tutorial54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d75fd619b56e748f4570f3bIn this Premium Tutorial Pro Tools Expert team member Julian Rodgers
demonstrates how the tools available in Pro Tools can be used to apply MIDI
“compression” to restrict the dynamic range of MID performances to give the
ultimate artefact free “compression”.

Controlling dynamic range using compression is a key skill for any engineer, but when we are using MIDI we have tools available to us to control the dynamics of the performance so we can deal with issues before they arise rather than trying to fix them afterwards.

In this Premium Tutorial Pro Tools Expert team member Julian Rodgers demonstrates how the tools available in Pro Tools can be used to apply MIDI “compression” to restrict the dynamic range of MIDI performances to give the ultimate artefact free “compression”.

How Can I Watch This Video?

Firstly you can watch the preview section of this video for free, no charge and with no signup. The new shortcut is in that free section. If you have not yet signed up to the new platform, and you want to watch the rest of this video, and hundreds more like it, then you can by signing up for a free 7-day trial. If you aren't satisfied it is a good deal then cancel the subscription within the 7 day trial period and it won't cost you a penny. If you like it then for just $3.99 per month you can watch this and hundreds more videos like it.

If you are already an existing subscriber to our video tutorial platform, then thank you for your support and you will be able to watch this video all the way through.

In this week's Friday Free Plug-in, we are featuring Adam Monroe’s Tremolo, a tremolo and autopanner with a stompbox style UI.

What Is Adam Monroe’s Tremolo?

It’s a tremolo but interestingly it has both a mono tremolo and a stereo tremolo/autopanner and both can have their speeds and depths set independently allowing extra complexity, always welcome in a cyclic modulation effect. Be aware that this is a stereo plug-in and doesn’t show up on mono tracks.

How Do I Get This Plug-in?

Go to the Adam Monroe Website and download. You’ll have to manually install the plugin to your plugins folder:

Mac - Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins

PC C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins

Adam Monroe’s Delay is a free plug-in and no iLok is required to run it. It is available for Mac or PC in VST, AU and AAX.

]]>Avid Advises Pro Tools Users NOT To Upgrade to iOS 13 YetAdviceControllerNewsPro ToolsMike Thornton - Pro Tools ExpertWed, 11 Sep 2019 19:45:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/9/11/avid-advises-pro-tools-users-not-to-upgrade-to-ios-1354d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d79447de55a400d70636380Avid has take the unusual step of emailing all Pro Tools Control users
advising us not to upgrade to iOS 13 when it is released next week. We have
the full statement from Avid.

Avid has take the unusual step of emailing all Pro Tools Control app users advising us not to upgrade to iOS 13, when it is released next week. We have the full statement from Avid.

This is the text in full of the email Avid has sent to all Pro Tools Control app users…

Dear Pro Tools | Control User,

As you may already know, Apple is planning on releasing their iOS 13 software update next week. We want to advise you that we have seen issues with Avid Pro Tools | Control running on iOS 13 and advise you to not update for now. We will update you as soon as we know more.

ALERT: Pro Tools | Control is not yet compatible with iOS 13. Do not update your iPad to iOS 13 if you wish to continue using it with Pro Tools | Control. This page will be updated when the issues have been resolved.

You have been warned…

]]>Pro Tools Expert Tip - Multi-Mono Plugins - See All The Channels At OnceTipPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertWed, 11 Sep 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/09/06/multi-mono-plugins-see-all-channels-at-once-expert-tip54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d724815f7a8e300010a5429The difference between multichannel and multi-mono plug-ins in Pro Tools
isn’t very significant if you only work in stereo. However, as soon as you
start working with more than 2 channels, you find the number of plug-ins
available as multichannel plug-ins starts to tail off rapidly. This free
tip demonstrates a way to quickly access all the channels in a multi-mono
plug-in at the same time, which is especially useful if you have unlinked
the parameters.

The difference between multichannel and multi-mono plug-ins in Pro Tools isn’t very significant if you only work in stereo. However, as soon as you start working with more than 2 channels, you find the number of plug-ins available as multichannel plug-ins starts to tail off rapidly.

This free tip demonstrates a way to quickly access all the channels in a multi-mono plug-in at the same time, which is useful if you have unlinked the parameters.

What Is The Difference Between A Multi-Mono And A Multichannel Plug-in?

A multichannel plug-in controls more than one channel via a single interface. One set of parameters are applied to all audio channels.

A multi-mono plug-in instantiates a mono plug-in for each channel in the track (5.1, 7.1, etc) and links them via a single plugin window. By default the same settings are applied to every channel but these can be unlinked. Importantly these are separate mono plugins so compressors and the like won’t be linked.

]]>Pro Tools Expert Tip - Multi-Mono Plugins - See All The Channels At OncePenteo 16 Pro Is Released - An All-in-one Upmix And Downmix Plugin Supporting Up To 16 Channels AmbisonicsSurroundPost ProductionPlug-inNewsMike Thornton - Pro Tools ExpertMon, 09 Sep 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/9/5/penteo-16-pro-is-released-a-single-upmix-and-downmix-plugin-supporting-immersive-formats-up-to-16-channels54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d71667e4321410001297e36PerfectSurround have released Penteo 16 Pro as their latest upmixing
plug-in, which opens up the Penteo upmixing technology to the full range of
immersive formats up to 16 channels. This includes 5.1, 7.1, Dolby Atmos up
to 9.1.6, Auro 3D up to 13.1, DTSX and up to 3rd order Ambisonics. What is
more it is now both an upmix and a downmix plug-in in one interface and
enables you to go from different channel counts and formats in the one
plug-in.

PerfectSurround have released Penteo 16 Pro as their latest upmixing plug-in, which opens up the Penteo upmixing technology to the full range of immersive formats up to 16 channels. This includes 5.1, 7.1, Dolby Atmos up to 9.1.6, Auro 3D up to 13.1, DTSX and up to 3rd order Ambisonics. What is more it is now both an upmix and a downmix plug-in in one interface and enables you to go from different channel counts and formats in the one plug-in.

Penteo 16 Pro - The Same Ethos And Sound Now Updated, Extended And Improved

For me, the core ethos of the Penteo range through the years from Penteo 3 to Pento 4 and then Penteo 7 and now Penteo 16, is that the design of their upmixing engine always gives an upmix that will be transparent and compatible when downmixed. There is not point in having a great sounding upmix, if when it is downmixed it sounds crap. The reality of what we do, especially in broadcast and OTT is that our immersive mixes must work when downmixed all the way back through stereo to mono, as the majority of our audience won’t have a full surround rig to enjoy all the fruits of our labours. The downmix compatibility is one of the main reasons I like Penteo so much and then, add to that, the simple interface and an excellent natural, unforced immersive sound and you have a winner, which is why the different iterations of the Penteo upmix plug-ins have received an Editor’s Choice Award. Now can the new Penteo 16 Pro follow in the footsteps of its predecessors?

Let’s find out by starting with the new features that are in Penteo 16 Pro…

New Features In Penteo 16 Pro

Enhanced 5.1/7.1 Surround + 16 Channel Upmixer

Upmix stereo to any combination of 16 channels (up to 9.1.6)

Upmix to 5.1 /7.1 DSP enhancements

New 3.0/3.1 Triangle, 6.0/6.1 formats

20 new stereo to Immersive upmix formats

All major formats supported: Atmos, Auro3D, DTSX

Full Ambisonics 1st, 2nd, 3rd order support for both AmbiX and FuMa

Advanced overhead channel control modes makes upmixing quick and easy

Enhancements to stereo‐to 5.1/7.1 surround upmixing

Integrated 5.1/7.1 Downmixer

5 new surround to stereo downmix formats

Uses same controls and interface as upmixer

Visualizer and Controls

Visualizer – 2D and 3D views offer a new way to visualise the immersive mix

Full and Minimal sizes – frees up screen space for large sessions

New Session management tools help speed workflow creativity

New more intuitive user interface

An Exclusive Tour Around Penteo 16 Pro

The most obvious difference when you compare Penteo 16 Pro to its predecessors, is that it is a completely different graphical user interface (GUI). Although it looks completely different all the elements that have marked out the earlier Penteo plugins are still there, and have been developed and enhanced.

Let’s start with the input section, gone are the 2 rotary input level controls to be replaced by something much more intuitive. Because Penteo 16 Pro works as a upmixer as well as the downmixer, the input channel count has gone up to 8 to support downmixing up to 7.1 sources and they have been very clever in integrating the level meter and level adjustment into the one display.

In the centre of the plugin, we have the main control section, which will be familiar to existing Penteo users, having the 3 main controls supplemented with an Upper control to determine the balance of the upmix ending in the height channels. The LFE section is presented differently, but other than that, will also be familiar to existing Penteo users.

On the right hand side is the output section, which not unsurprisingly can have up to 16 channels, uses the same clever design to integrate meters and level controls in the one display.

What this means is that the signal always travels from left to right in any instance of Penteo 16 Pro, upmix or downmix.

Moving up to the top of the plugin window, there is a dedicated session management tools section that now include presets, save/load, A|B comparisons, automatic plugin version and update notifications and access to the Settings panel.

Under the input section is a button labelled Visualizer, which opens the visualizer section, another new feature on Penteo 16 Pro. Once you have height channels you have the option of two 2D views, top down and from the back of the room, or change the right display to a 3D display which you can view from different angles as well as zoom in. The colours for each channel can be changed in the Settings window.

If you are upmixing to Ambisonics, there is a challenge on how to visualize the Ambisonics signal as the channels do not relate to speakers in ambisonics. What the designers decided to do was to use a virtual 7.1.4 speaker array to give an indication of how the sound energy is being distributed around the ambisonics soundfield as the only valid way to use the Visualizer with ambisonic formats.

Whilst we are talking Ambisonics Penteo 16 Pro supports both the AmbiX and FuMa channel orders up to 3rd order, which requires 16 channels.

Back up to the input section and you can adjust the input gain of each channel together using the line or individually by getting hold of the bar in each channel. You can also solo or mute each input channel.

In the centre section the Centre control changes the level of the synthesized discrete center channel. Above this is a drop down menu that offers 3 different centre channel modes. Default relates to Penteo Music, on previous versions of Penteo, Discrete is the new Hard Center and Composite was formerly Stereo Plus.

The Left and Right Side Surround control rebalances the balance of sound energy into or away from the side surround channels as does the Left and Right Rear Surround control for the rear surround controls. The Boost button above the side surrounds control shifts the energy from the rear surround channels into the side surrounds, which is very helpful when you want the side surrounds to be more connected to the fronts.

The LFE section replicates the LFE section in the previous Penteo plugins in a much more compact way and then we have a new control that adjusts the balance between the lower and upper channels. Above this control is a drop down menu with 4 different modes for how the sound will be directed, or not, into the upper channels. Finally the Drop Vox button, below the Uppers control, redirects centre channel content, which is usually dialog, away form the upper channels so that you don’t get dialogue coming from above.

On the right hand side, the output section mirrors the input section and has the same solo and mute options with the addition of linking bars that when enabled allow you to link sections, like the fronts, surrounds etc.

There are also gain controls, but by default the output gain controls are disabled. This is because if you adjust the output gains, you mess with the careful distribution of sound energy around the channels which is key to getting a perfect downmix. To enable the Gain controls in the output section you have to click the Gain button and then you get a warning to make sure you are aware of the consequences of adjusting the output levels. If you go ahead then the Downmix Monitor display above the output section will turn red and the percentage figure will give an indication of how compatible the downmix will be. The greater the gain change, the less compatible the downmix will be. I would strongly recommend that you stay away from adjusting the output levels as using them will compromise the downmix compatibility, but if that is less of a concern for you then you have the option to change the channel output levels.

One last button in the output section is Shelf, when you enable this, it activates a low pass filter in the upper channels to roll off the higher frequencies in the top channels, but this will not have a negative impact on the downmix compatibility, any changes made will be compensated for in the Penteo upmix algorithm.

Some existing Penteo users might be wondering where the Quad and Triangle Modes have gone. Don’t worry they are in the output dropdown menu, so you can still use the 4.0 option to spread sound effects around, as before, keeping the effects out of the centre channel or use 3.0 Triangle to place speech firmly in the Centre channel whilst other content is placed very nicely in the rear surround channels.

What We Think About Penteo 16 Pro

When Penteo 3, then Penteo 4 came out, there was very little competition, but in today’s market there are a lot more solutions around. As a result, PerfectSurround have taken this opportunity to revisit the engine, the user interface and the feature set to produce an upmix and downmix product that will meet our needs moving forward.

They have made a number of bold decisions bringing together upmixing and downmixing into one plugin, choosing to support the full range of immersive formats including, not only Dolby Atmos, but also DTSX and Auro 3D, but not satisfied with that range of supported formats, they have included support for up to 3rd order Ambisonics as well, at no extra cost.

The integration of the familiar Penteo 7, and earlier, controls, makes it much easier for existing Penteo users to get to grips with the new layout and GUI. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it comes to mind. That said, PerfectSurround have not been afraid to change things around to make it easier to use, now the plugin supports many more channels and immersive formats.

The unified format with the signal always travelling from left to right, makes it easy to understand, aided by the downmix or upmix text and arrow at the top of the main section. Simple, clean and intuitive, all things I look for in any plugin.

That said, I am not sure I like the relabelling of the modes that were on the Mode switch in earlier versions of Penteo. it is going to take me some time to remember that Default means Penteo Music, Discrete means Hard Center and Composite means Stereo Plus. The old labels told me more about what each mode did, but I guess I will get used to the new labels.

The visualizer is simple, but at the same time, very effective and the way the graphics interact almost shimmering gives a very useful visual representation of what is going on.

Recommending that Pro Tools users instantiate a stereo to 3rd order Ambisonics channel format is a very clever workaround to save users having to change plugins when you want more channels.

The integrated downmixer is a brilliant addition but it’s a shame that the Downmix section doesn’t fully match the upmix formats as currently the downmix support stops at 7.1 so it’s not possible to use the Penteo 16 Pro downmixer to downmix, for example, a Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 mix down to say 5.1 or even stereo. Let’s hope that the full range of downmix options can be added to a subsequent update.

There is no doubt that in extending the Penteo Pro plugin to cover all the formats, the user interface has lost some of its simplicity, but it’s probably an oxymoron, because adding complexity will always have an impact on simplicity. That said, all the improvements far outweigh the loss of some of the simplicity and it is very clear PerfectSurround have worked very hard to maintain the simplicity and commonality with the previous versions as much as it is possible.

In conclusion, yet again PerfectSurround have taken what was already a great plugin and made it even better, but not just a bit better but a lot better. Supporting all the main immersive formats us a smart move, but adding Ambisonics was inspired. Then to add a downmixer into the mix is incredible and bringing all of these features into one plugin is absolutely the right thing to do. There are no extras, no options, no in-app purchases, you get it all-in-one plugin and to cap it off the price is very reasonable especially when you compare it to some other similar products. All in all, there is no way I cannot give Penteo 16 Pro our Expert’s Choice Award yet again.

Get The Free Trial And Try It For Yourself

As we have mentioned, it is not really possible to demonstrate what the upmixes sound like, other than to compare the downmix of the upmix with the original stereo source, which we do in our exclusive video. However, instead we would recommend that you go to the Penteo 16 Pro website and click on the Free Trial button at the top of the page to apply for a 14 day free trial and try it for yourself on content you know.

Pento 16 Pro Price And Availability

The combined Penteo 16 Pro is available now The normal price is $499, for which you get an upmix and downmix plugin that supports the full range of immersive formats including Dolby Atmos, Auro 3D, DTSX and up to 3rd Order Ambisonics.

Penteo 16 Pro is available in AAX 64 bit format for Pro Tools as well as in VST3 format for other DAWs like Nuendo.

Even better, until October 31st 2019 you can buy Penteo 16 Pro for $399 - a saving of $100.

]]>Take Control With Window Configurations - Expert Video TutorialTutorialPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertSat, 07 Sep 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/09/02/take-control-with-window-configurations-expert-video-tutorial54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d6d3c004f45fb000137c8a7In this extended premium tutorial, Pro Tools Expert team member Julian
Rodgers looks at Window Configurations, which offer a way to save the
layout and contents of windows in Pro Tools. When combined with the related
Memory Locations in Pro Tools they offer a way to create shortcuts which
can arrange and restore windows to just how you need them for specific
tasks.

Window Configurations offer a way to save the layout and contents of windows in Pro Tools. When combined with the related Memory Locations in Pro Tools they offer a way to create shortcuts which can arrange and restore windows to just how you need them for specific tasks.

Once set up these Window configurations can be imported into other sessions via the import session data dialog just like any other session data. Window Configurations are useful and powerful so if you don’t currently use them you should definitely check them out.

How Can I Watch This Video?

Firstly you can watch the preview section of this video for free, no charge and with no signup. The new shortcut is in that free section. If you have not yet signed up to the new platform, and you want to watch the rest of this video, and hundreds more like it, then you can by signing up for a free 7-day trial. If you aren't satisfied it is a good deal then cancel the subscription within the 7 day trial period and it won't cost you a penny. If you like it then for just $3.99 per month you can watch this and hundreds more videos like it.

If you are already an existing subscriber to our video tutorial platform, then thank you for your support and you will be able to watch this video all the way through.

]]>Take Control With Window Configurations - Expert Video TutorialFrontDAW From United Plugins - Friday Free Plug-inPlug-inJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertFri, 06 Sep 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/08/30/friday-free-plug-in-frontdaw-from-united-plugins54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d68f9c9b3cf300001b2967eIn this week's Friday Free Plug-in, we are featuring FrontDAW from United
Plugins, a new plugin which until September 15th 2019 is available for
free.

In this week's Friday Free Plug-in, we are featuring FrontDAW from United Plugins, a new plugin which until September 15th 2019 is available for free.

What Is FrontDAW?

As the name suggests, Front DAW is intended to be used as the very first plugin on every track. The plugin adds gain and subtle saturation to them. Thanks to VARM (Variable Analogue Random Modeling – used also previously on Royal Compressor) each track would sound slightly different even with identical settings.

The plugin offers three types of saturation circuits: BR represents classic fat British consoles, US stands for legendary punchy American style input. Switching to GE will give you velvet-sounding colourful vintage German tube console. All you have to do is to set the gain, choose saturation mode and set the saturation amount with the Mojo knob.

How Do I Get This Plug-in?

Temporarily Free

The price of the plugin is set to €49 but the lucky customers who visit the product page before September 15th can get the plugin for free.

All you have to do is to create a United Plugins account (or sign in if you have one already), add Front DAW to your cart and order the license for €0.

Similarly to other United Plugins effects, Front DAW comes with 15-days fully working trial version. Those who decide not to register and activate during that period can enjoy the plugin‘s sound even after the trial expires. Only the functionality is then limited to one type of saturation, no hi-pass filter availability and Mojo set to 50% with no chance to edit. If you download, register and activate before 15th of September you get a fully working plugin forever.

FrontDAW is a temporarily free plug-in and no iLok is required to run it. It is available for Mac or PC in VST, AU and AAX.

]]>Nugen Audio VisLM Updated - Do You Know This Feature? It Will Save You Time And MoneyNewsPost ProductionTutorialLoudnessMike Thornton - Pro Tools ExpertThu, 05 Sep 2019 11:36:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/9/5/nugen-audio-audio-update-vislm-we-discover-an-undocumented-feature-that-will-save-you-time-and-money54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d70c8790634460001a189d6Nugen Audio has released the latest version of their loudness metering
software VisLM. V2.8.3 brings 2 new features, one minor - a change to the
Netflix stereo preset and one major - the introduction of Flags, which help
to visualise Alerts and navigate through them. An added bonus is that
whilst we were preparing the video tutorial showing the new features, we
discovered an undocumented feature in VisLM from Nugen Audio that is really
clever and will save you time and money and so we had to include that in
the video tutorial as well!

Nugen Audio has released the latest version of their loudness metering software VisLM. V2.8.3 brings 2 new features, one minor - a change to the Netflix stereo preset and one major - the introduction of Flags, which help to visualise Alerts and navigate through them. An added bonus is that whilst we were preparing the video tutorial showing the new features, we discovered an undocumented feature in VisLM from Nugen Audio that is really clever and will save you time and money and so we had to include that in the video tutorial as well!

“We take pride in providing our customers with solutions that make their projects and workflows more efficient, especially across growing platforms such as Netflix. We find that tailoring our products to the specific needs of audio professionals enables them to accomplish their full creative vision in a time- and results-oriented manner. We look forward to demonstrating these products at IBC and speaking with our European user-base to find out more about the ways in which our software helps them achieve their goals.”

In this case v2.8.3 brings a change to the Stereo Netflix preset to reflect the changes in the Netflix Best Practices 1.1 and Delivery Standards v3.3 in which Netflix now specify a maximum LRA of 18 instead of 20.

You can see more about this feature in our exclusive video at the top of this article.

Nugen Audio Add Flags To The Loudness History Window In VisLM

The major new feature that Nugen Audio have introduced in v2.8.3 is Flags. This allows users to navigate through True Peak and short-term/momentary loudness alerts, as well as add manual flags for other points of interest.

Nugen Audio has had Alerts for quite a while now but you would be forgiven for missing them as they are very easily missed because they showed up as little red dots in Loudness History display. You can see 3 in the image below but there was no way of interrogating what the issue was until now.

In v2.8.3 Nugen Audio has added this new feature - Flags. The first thing I want to point out is that Flags do not replace Alerts, they enhance them and add 3 new things.

Firstly, they convert the little red dots that represent Alerts, which you can just about see in the ‘Alerts and No Flags’ image above, into vertical lines that you can see above in the ‘With Flags’ image.

Secondly, with Flags enabled, you can now navigate between each flag and a small dialog box appears in the bottom right hand corner of the the loudness history window, showing in red what the issues are at this point of the mix.

Now if like me you find the flag text box a little small then you would be right. I checked the wth Nugen Audio and it is a bug. This text box should follow the Zoom Level option in the Global tabs in Options. With the Zoom Level set to Auto in the Global tab in Options, although all the other text resizes as you resize the plugin window, currently the Flags Alert text doesn’t resize as it should. The team at Nugen have identified this bug and the code is being tested and will be released as part of a small maintenance update as soon as it is clear from the testing stage.

Whilst we are mentioning bugs, the eagle eyed amongst you might have noticed that the Gate G10 indicator isn’t lighting to show that the Gate has closed. This too is a bug and Nugen have fixed this one too and it too is in the testing stage to make sure the fix hasn’t caused any other issues before it to is released as a maintenance update.

Back to the Flags feature, the third part of the new Flags feature is that you can create your own flags. As you are playing through, just click on the Flag button and you will notice that an orange line appears at that point on the timeline in the Loudness History window. It’s good that they have chosen a different colour for manually placed flags from the flags which come from Alerts. The Flag navigation controls include orange ‘manual’ flags as well as red alert flags and notice that you get little arrows top and bottom of the Loudness History Window.

You can see more about this feature in our exclusive video at the top of this article.

The Undocumented Feature In VisLM That Will Save You Time And Money

In preparing for the video in this article, I opened a session that I had created to look at what happens to the dialog level when you reduce the loudness range and because as part of that research I had been using an AudioSuite version of VisLM and so the session had both AudioSuite and Real-time versions of the VisLM plug-in open.

Nugen Audio VisLM AudioSuite Plugin

Nugen Audio VisLM Real-time Plugin

I spotted a new yellow button below the loudness history display and assumed it was a new feature in VisLM 2.8.3, that wasn’t in the version of the manual I was working from. I reached out to Nugen Audio to ask what this button was all about, to be told it isn’t a new feature but it is a feature that isn’t in the manual. What is more is it is a very clever and useful feature that will save you time and money.

If you have ever used the feature in VisLM where you can ‘overdub’ a section of a mix and VisLM will recalculate the integrated Loudness and LRA, on the fly, to reflect the changes you are making to the mix when dropping in and fixing some patches, then you will know how much time it saves not having to reanalyse the full mix.

But for this feature to work, you effectively have to play the whole mix into the real-time VisLM plug-in so that it could capture the data on the mix, ready to be able to update it when you undertake the changes.

What if you haven’t done that? Maybe the mix has come from another facility that don’t use VisLM, it will take you the duration of the mix to load the data onto VisLM which on long form content could be an hour or more, to be ready to use the ‘on-the-fly’ loudness data update feature.

What if there was a way to harness the offline, non-real-time features of AudioSuite plug-ins to complete this analysis in double quick time? Well it turns out that this undocumented feature does just this.

You can analyse the full mix file using the AudioSuite version of VisLM. The you will see the new yellow button light up telling you that the plugin has data ready to export. When you click on that button in the AudioSuite plug-in a corresponding Import button appears in the real-time plugin. When you click on the Import button, the real-time plugin asks you to play the audio from the timeline, to identify where the clip is on the timeline and once the blue progress bar has filled up, you can stop playing the audio and the real-time plugin will load the loudness analytics from the AudioSuite plugin and you are ready to go.

In the example I show in the video, at the top of this article, I have a 57 minute mix that takes just 45 seconds to analyse in the AudioSuite plugin saving just short of an hour to get to the same point with just the real-time plug-in. Clever or what?

]]>Nugen Audio VisLM Updated - Do You Know This Feature? It Will Save You Time And MoneySoundFlow 3 Released - We Have An Exclusive Demo Video For YouNewsReviewPro ToolsSoftwareMike Thornton - Pro Tools ExpertWed, 04 Sep 2019 17:01:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/9/4/shortcut-and-macro-app-soundflow-3-released-we-have-an-exclusive-demo-video54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d6f67578eae490001c00e5eIf you would like to streamline your workflows, reduce the amount you use
the mouse, not only in Pro Tools but other apps like iZotope RX, Soundminer
or other DAWs like Nuendo and Cubase then you have to check out SoundFlow.
In this article we are going to look into detail at what SoundFlow can do
and investigate the new features introduced in SoundFlow 3 including the
ability to create your own macros and design your own controllers on
Android and iOS devices.

If you would like to streamline your workflows, reduce the amount you use the mouse, not only in Pro Tools but other apps like iZotope RX, Soundminer or other DAWs like Nuendo and Cubase then you have to check out SoundFlow.

In this article, which includes an exclusive video demo and tour, we are going to look into detail at what SoundFlow can do and investigate the new features introduced in SoundFlow 3, which now offers the ability to create your own macros and design your own controllers on macOS, Android and iOS devices.

SoundFlow Designer and Founder Christian Scheuer

What Is SoundFlow

SoundFlow has been created by sound designer and composer Christian Scheuer. 8 years ago he got so fed up with “clicking on small buttons all day”, that he started making an app to create extra shortcuts for Pro Tools.

“SoundFlow helps me to stay focused. However, it was one thing to have this tool that helped me, I decided I wanted to share it and create a global community for creative professionals who want to work smarter instead of harder”

A year later, helped by a dedicated team of collaborators from around the world, they had turned Soundflow into a platform with the release of SoundFlow 2, in which you could now build your own scripts and develop your own workflows. Commands can be triggered from the keyboard, external hardware devices, MIDI controllers, touch surfaces or be integrated into existing scripting. Bringing all these integrations together in one, easy to use platform is what makes SoundFlow so powerful. However, there was one major feature that was missing and that was for the regular user to be able to build their own macros.

SoundFlow 3 now offers non-technical users the ability to make their own automated workflows in DAWs like Pro Tools as well as iZotope RX, Soundminer, in fact any macOS application. With this new release, SoundFlow adds a number of features to complete the platform. Its deep integration with the Stream Deck, which is a 15 button hardware device with LCD screens behind every button, enables you to be able to design dynamic ‘Decks’ inside SoundFlow that react to what you are doing, as well as providing access to all of SoundFlow’s integrations.

The brand new Macro Editor allows users to build their own workflows via a simple drag and drop interface. But Christian and the team have not stopped there. With the introduction of SoundFlow’s Surface Designer, you can even design cross platform touch surfaces for macOS, as well as for Android & iOS, although these two are still in beta.

From the SoundFlow Store, users can install packages and apps built by the community. There are a growing number of ready-to-use packages for things like Dialogue Editing, Notes Management, AudioSuite shortcuts, Session Management, Field Recorder workflows and MIDI editing.

Pro Tools Expert Exclusive Demo Of SoundFlow 3

In this extended demo video, SoundFlow founder Christian Scheuer takes Pro Tools Expert and Post Production specialist Mike Thornton through the key new features introduced with SoundFlow 3. Christian starts by explaining how SoundFlow came about and how it has developed over the last 3 years…

SoundFlow 3 Key Features

More than 500 built-in commands to control Pro Tools, Soundminer, iZotope RX, Cubase, Nuendo, Finder and much more. Watch our exclusive video to see examples of this.

User settings are stored in the cloud so you have access to all your shortcuts from any computer in the world running SoundFlow.

What Do Professionals Think About SoundFlow

SoundFlow is almost as important to me as Pro Tools itself. It has increased my productivity by at least 30% at a minimum, especially while mixing on a limited control surface. My muscle memory is tuned to it. SoundFlow is my secret weapon to getting shows delivered on time, but also with clients walking out the door happy because I was able to get through all their notes extremely efficiently. Love your program, it has changed my life. I tell all my post friends about it!

— Re-Recording Mixer Sean Higgins, Los Angeles, CA

Our users say they work 20-30% faster every day. Some tasks are even cut in half.

— Christian Munk Scheuer, Founder & CEO

SoundFlow 3 Pricing And Availability

SoundFlow 3 is available as a subscription service from the SoundFlow website starting from $ 4.99 per month. There are options for Pro users who want access to all features, and a special version for MPAA-approved facilities that need to work offline. All updates are included in the subscription.

SoundFlow 3 is also available as a free download with a 30 day free trial.

Features

SoundFlow CloudFree

SoundFlow Cloud Indie

SoundFlow Cloud Pro

SoundFlow Facility

500+ commands to control Pro Tools

~ 20 free commands

Yes

Yes

Yes

3000+ actions to control Cubase & Nuendo

-

-

Yes

Yes

Keyboard Shortcuts

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Custom Macros and Scripts

-

-

Yes

Yes

Download apps from the Store

-

-

Yes

Yes

Stream Deck Support

-

-

Yes

Yes

MIDI and USB Triggers

-

-

Yes

Yes

Offline Support

-

-

-

Yes

Price

Free

from $4.99 per month

From $9.99 per month

Ask for a quote

Licensing

Individuals

Individuals andsole proprietorships

Individuals and sole proprietorships

Companies with morethan 1 employee

What Do We Think About SoundFlow 3

I was impressed with what Christian had achieved back in May 2017 with the first version that added 103 shortcuts to Pro Tools. Like Christian, I try and use as many keyboard shortcuts as possible and avoid using the mouse to reduce the risk of developing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). However what Christian and his team of developers have achieved in the last 2 years on their own is nothing short of amazing.

Not only have they developed a very powerful solution for streamlining workflows, and interaction with Pro Tools using very powerful macros but also harnessing tools like Elgato’s Stream Deck. A great example of this is in our exclusive video where Christian shows how he has been able to streamline the process of using RX Connect to take clips out of Pro Tools into iZotope RX, then use powerful macros and shortcuts to work on the clips in RX before shipping it back to Pro Tools, all without having to touch the RX Connect plug-in.

As part of SoundFlow 3, they have added a Surface Designer so that you can design your own controllers that suit you and your client. This is another amazing tool set at our disposal and a perfect example of this is in our exclusive demo video where Christian shows the Notes app, in which the director, sat back on the client sofa, can during a viewing or as you are mixing, add timecode stamped notes on the fly, using their own tablet.

I still can’t get over how well Christian and his team has done without external financial support. It is a credit to them all.

Although SoundFlow is a macOS only application it is good to see that Christian and the team are developing tools for the Android platform as well as iOS.

As you will have seen from the pricing information, SoundFlow will be available as a subscription. This may not be to everyone’s taste, but step back and look at it from Christian’s perspective. By going down the subscription route, he is getting a regular income from user’s subscriptions, which will help him continue to develop SoundFlow even more. I for one do not begrudge developers like Christian the benefits in the subscription business model. If you would rather read what Christian says about this and how it is helping his business then he has written an article on how subscriptions are helping his business.

In conclusion, if you are a busy editor or mixer working in Pro Tools, Cubase or Nuendo, then you have to at least download the free 30 day trial of SoundFlow 3. Expect it to transform your workflows and be much more efficient and more creative, because SoundFlow is another great tool that streamlines the boring stuff so you can get on with being creative.

I cannot fault it and for this reason, and all the above, I am awarding SoundFlow 3 our coveted Expert’s Choice Award.

]]>Create Automation Breakpoints At The Same Value As the Previous Or Next Breakpoint - FREE Expert TipTipPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertWed, 04 Sep 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/8/29/create-automation-breakpoints-at-the-same-value-as-the-previous-or-next-breakpoint-free-expert-tip54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d67e84e2c2b550001746ad3When editing automation you might often want to create an extra breakpoint
at the same value as either the next or previous value. This is easy, just
click in the playlist with the Grab tool while holding these modifiers

When editing automation you might often want to create an extra breakpoint at the same value as either the next or previous value. This is easy, just click in the playlist with the Grab tool while holding the following modifiers:

Original playlist with three breakpoints

Add Breakpoint At Previous Breakpoint Value CMD+Opt (Ctrl+Alt on PC)

The same playlist with an extra breakpoint created between the 2nd and 3rd breakpoints at the same value as the 2nd breakpoint i.e. the previous breakpoint.

Add Breakpoint At Next Breakpoint Value Opt+Shift (Alt+Shift on PC)

The same playlist with an extra breakpoint created between the 2nd and 3rd breakpoints at the same value as the 3rd breakpoint i.e. the next breakpoint.

]]>Massenburg Finally Release A Reliable Version of Their MDW EQ5 64 Bit Plugin For AAX DSP And AAX NativeEQAAXPlug-inMike Thornton - Pro Tools ExpertSat, 31 Aug 2019 14:00:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/8/27/massenburg-finally-release-a-working-version-of-their-mdw-eq5-64-bit-plugin-for-aax-dsp-and-aax-native54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d6560f41aacf700018afc11It seems that Massenburg have finally released a version of the Massenburg
Design Works MDW EQ5 plug-in that works with the current versions of Pro
Tools. Find out more here.

There has been a long standing issue for some users of the Massenburg Design Works MDW EQ5 plug-in where it causes Pro Tools to crash.

It seems that Massenburg have finally released a version that works with the current versions of Pro Tools. Rail Jon Rogut from Massenburg Design Works says the final build MDWEQ5-AAX 5.2.1r17 is now available that now should also work on Mojave…

MDW EQ5 System Requirements:

MDW EQ5 Version 5.2.1r17

There have also been comments that the installers on the Avid site are not up to date yet so here are the urls for the latest installers from Massenburg Design Works who also advise that anyone installing from the following links should first update their PACE software

UPDATE: September 3rd 2019

There have still been reports that even these installers are reported as “not a valid AAX plugin”. Community member Tristan Hoogland has suggested that…

“For anybody else having issues installing (getting errors saying it's not a valid AAX plugin), I had to manually move/delete the old plugin from the plugins folder for it to work.”

]]>Pro Tools Automation Tips And Tricks To Help Save You Time - Expert Video TutorialTutorialPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertSat, 31 Aug 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/08/08/pro-tools-automation-save-time-with-these-tips-and-tricks-expert-tutorial54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d4bfa0e7e48b20001d44514Pro Tools Automation - It’s one of the areas where Pro Tools definitely has
the edge over other DAWs but lots of people. particularly people using Pro
Tools for music production use very little of the automation workflows
available. In this Premium tutorial Pro Tools Expert team member Julian
Rodgers runs through some of his favourite automation tips and tricks which
help make automation work for you rather than getting in the way.

Pro Tools Automation - It’s one of the areas where Pro Tools definitely has the edge over other DAWs but lots of people, particularly people using Pro Tools for music production use very little of the automation workflows available. In this premium video tutorial, Pro Tools Expert team member Julian Rodgers runs through some of his favourite automation tips and tricks, which help make automation work for you rather than getting in the way.

How Can I Watch This Video?

Firstly you can watch the preview section of this video for free, no charge and with no signup. The new shortcut is in that free section. If you have not yet signed up to the new platform, and you want to watch the rest of this video, and hundreds more like it, then you can by signing up for a free 7-day trial. If you aren't satisfied it is a good deal then cancel the subscription within the 7 day trial period and it won't cost you a penny. If you like it then for just $3.99 per month you can watch this and hundreds more videos like it.

If you are already an existing subscriber to our new video platform, then thank you for your support and you will be able to watch this video all the way through.

]]>Pro Tools Automation Tips And Tricks To Help Save You Time - Expert Video TutorialAvid Add Plate Reverb Impulse Responses For Pro Tools - Total Loyalty Rewards Now Worth Over $1600Plug-inNewsPro ToolsMike Thornton - Pro Tools ExpertFri, 30 Aug 2019 08:28:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/5/17/another-free-loyalty-reward-from-avid-plate-reverb-impulse-responses-worth-over-100-to-go-with-free-convology-xt-plug-in54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5cde7099dc68af0001ff9404Avid are continuing to expand their $1400 worth of loyalty rewards for all
their customers with a valid Pro Tools software upgrade plan or active
subscription. Great news. Avid hasn’t stopped there, next they announced
another loyalty reward this time in partnership with Groove3 worth $120 and
now they are offering another loyalty reward worth over $100 in conjunction
with Wave Arts and Impulse Record. We have the details.

We recently published an article listing $1400 worth of loyalty rewards that Avid is offering all their customers with a valid Pro Tools software upgrade plan or active subscription. Back in May 2019, they announced another loyalty reward in partnership with Groove3 worth $120 and now they are offering another loyalty reward worth over $100 in conjunction with Wave Arts and Impulse Record, which is a free library of plate reverb impulses to go with the free Convology XT convolution reverb plug-in that we recently featured as a Friday Free Plug-in.

What Is Convology XT?

Convology XT is a free convolution reverb, the result of a collaboration between Wave Arts and Impulse Record. Convology XT comes with 70 vintage impulse responses, a sampling of the 2,965 impulse responses in the Convology XT Libraries. You can buy additional impulse responses to extend the library in Convology XT. In this loyalty reward Avid is giving away one of these additional libraries - Plates.

What Is In The Plates Impulse Response Library?

There are 17 different Plates across 185 Files. These plates have been sampled in 7 Different Countries including: Australia, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia and USA.

In addition there are 8 German 140s that include Mono, Mono Tube, Valve, Transistor and ST models.

Many pieces of gear listed have been used on major recording artists, albums and Grammy productions.

In case some of the titles are not known to you or a little cryptic then here is some more background…

Aud - (Audicon) – middle of the road – somewhat bright, similar in overall size to their West German plate competition, with a steel plate thickness a little under the 1/64 of an inch used by the Germans, yielding a brighter sound.

Brick – some variations with models, but the 4’ X 4’ plate was typical. For being half the size of the 140, sounds quite good. The Brick is not as warm, but is very useful when wanting a rich plate sound and to bring out a particular sound such as a snare.

Eplates - (ECOPLATESTM trademark of Studio Technologies, Inc) – tend to be brighter and a little more metallic sounding. Useful to bringing certain production elements out in the mix when you need it to cut through. These units were a little smaller than the German 140 plates.

German 140s – For many, the 140s are viewed as king of the hill for a number of reasons. They were the first and came to market in the late 1950s. They tend to be a little warmer, tend to replicate, as they were originally designed, the sound of a concert hall and with limited EQing can for the most part, more readily replicate a dark, bright or a warm sounding room, etc. The need to scoop low end EQ might be useful when applying to certain instruments and voices, to avoid the bass multiplier effect. There are beautiful sounding files in every 140 model sampled – try them all along with very cool hybrid impulses that really are a solid edition to anyone’s convolution library!

Lawson – tends to be brighter and a bump in the lower mids tends to warm them up. This unit was designed and built by Gene Lawson who continues to make microphones today at his shop in Nashville, TN. His microphones are well regarded and his tenure in the business is remarkable.

Stocktronics - manufactured in Sweden. Only a little over 250 of these units made in their entirety and are very rare. Impulse Record was lucky to get these impulse response files recorded from Finland The original owner/designer Lars Liljeryd, talks about the Stocktronics plate and made these comments on the manufacturing process. “The specially manufactured stainless steel used in the Stocktronics 4000 was totally unique with it’s 0.3 mm thickness and extremely low “pile-height”. Thus the steel sheets were 2-D stretched in a stretching bench at the steel manufacturer and thus became very flat, before cutting it to size. This two-dimensional stretching process also cold-forged the steel so it became even harder, thus producing proportionally longer reverberation times at higher frequencies than any steel quality used by the competition. Therefore it had a very special sounding reverb, liked by many and disliked by some, as it sounded a bit synthetic. It however had a very high resonant density so it could cope extremely well with high frequency impulsive sounds and still sounded smooth.”

German 240 – darker sounding. Weighing 148 lbs with dimensions of 1’ X 2’ X 2’. Some say better on shorter settings and for sound sources like drums. Originally designed as a way to make the original 140 (4’ X 8’) in a smaller and lighter box. It really was a technological feat for its time. Both versions of the 240s sampled, tend to be darker in tone and sound as most do, when searching online with user comments. They use a gold foil plate and are a hybrid between the original large 140 plate and early analog to digital rack mount and smaller floor units, although the 240 is totally analog. The thickness of the gold foil plate is 18 microns (very thin like aluminum foil – note that average human hair thickness is between 40 – 50 microns)

What Do They Sound Like?

This video from Impulse Record using a solo piano recording to demonstrate the different plate impulse responses in this library…

How To Get This Loyalty Reward From Avid, Wave Arts and Impulse Record

Go to your Avid Master Account. The new loyalty reward should be listed there, near the bottom of your Products list. However, if it isn’t in the list, check for a message at the top of your Products lists advising that there were some unclaimed loyalty rewards. Clicking on that list should give you the updated list which will include the Impulse Record/Wave Arts reward.

Copy the serial number and click on the link and that will take you to a special page on the Impulse Record site. The follow the instructions on that page…

Please choose the download links below that correspond to either your Windows or Mac device and download both the Convology XT Plugin and the Plates Reverb library.

You should have already received a Convology Plates serial from Avid, this looks like IR-CLPLT-XXXXX-XXXXX, where X are hex digits (0-9, A-F). Your serial will unlock both the Convology XT plug-in and the Plates Library.

Step 2: Run both installers and accept default options. The Plates installer gives you the option to install on an external drive if desired.

Step 3: Launch Pro Tools and open an instance of Convology XT, found under “Impulse Record” manufacturer or “Reverb” category. When the plug-in is first opened it will popup a warning that it has not been registered. Click “Register” and then enter your serial, name, and email address, taking care to enter your email address correctly. You can also register later by selecting the Register option in the setting menu (gear icon).

Need Further Help?

You may also click the gear icon at the top of the Convology XT plugin and click on “Open User Manual” for more help inside the plugin.

Most registering issues are caused by replacing a 0 (zero) for an O and copying the serial number and pasting it with an unintentional space on the front or back end. Please try typing the serial number in manually and make sure that you are inputting the correct characters, before contacting Support for any registration problems.

In this week's Friday Free Plug-in, we are featuring Fuzzplus 3 from Audiodamage, an interesting and original fuzz pedal style plug-in.

What Is FuzzPlus3?

FuzzPlus 3 is a rewrite of the previous iteration of the FuzzPlus series. Featuring the same vintage fuzz pedal model, plus a new filter, self-feedback, and a modern procedural user interface, FuzzPlus3 is a fine addition to any producer's toolset. Plus you can't beat the price!

How Do I Get This Plug-in?

FuzzPlus3 is a free plug-in and no iLok is required to run it. It is available for Mac or PC in VST, AU and AAX.

]]>Import Clip To New Track - Did You Know You Can Drag To The Track List? - FREE Expert Tip TipPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertWed, 28 Aug 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/08/05/import-clip-to-new-track-did-you-know-you-can-drag-to-the-track-list-free-expert-tip54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d4857ee6bdf2a0001c8fd14Did you know you can drag a file or clip onto the tracks sidebar and a new
track will be created in the same way as dragging onto the timeline? Why is
this useful? Because in a busy session there usually isn’t any blank space
visible in the edit window. I use this all the time.

I always use the Import Audio Command to bring audio into my sessions but often I import to the clips list. I know many people drag and drop from Finder windows straight onto the timeline and I often drag from the clips list onto blank space on the timeline.

Did you know you can drag a file or clip onto the tracks sidebar and a new track will be created in the same way as dragging onto the timeline? Why is this useful? Because in a busy session there usually isn’t any blank space visible in the edit window. I use this all the time.

]]>Import Clip To New Track - Did You Know You Can Drag To The Track List? - FREE Expert TipHEAT Now Available At $199 Or Bundled FREE With Pro Tools And Ultimate SubscriptionsNewsPlug-inPro ToolsMike Thornton - Pro Tools ExpertSat, 24 Aug 2019 07:35:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/8/24/heat-now-available-at-199-or-bundled-with-pro-tools-and-ultimate-subscriptions54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d60da30352124000153771aFollowing the announcement at Summer NAMM, Avid have quietly included HEAT
in both Pro Tools and Ultimate subscription plans and reduced the price for
a perpetual license of HEAT from $495 to $199. In addition the Avid
Complete Plug-in Bundle is now included with Pro Tools Standard
subscriptions.

Following the announcement at Summer NAMM, Avid have quietly included HEAT in both Pro Tools and Ultimate subscription plans and reduced the price for a perpetual license of HEAT from $495 to $199. In addition the Avid Complete Plug-in Bundle is now included with Pro Tools Standard subscriptions.

Get access to all new releases, the Avid Complete Plugin Bundle, HEAT, Pro Tools | MachineControl, and support

Note that Pro Tools Ultimate subscribers and those with a current Ultimate upgrade plan already get the Avid Complete Plugin Bundle.

Avid HEAT Perpetual

The price in the Avid store for a perpetual license for HEAT has come down to $199 from $495.

Although HEAT is now bundled in with Pro Tools and Ultimate subscriptions, anyone with a perpetual license of Pro Tools Standard or Pro Tools Ultimate who wants to use HEAT will need a perpetual license for HEAT.

The History Of HEAT

In 2010 with the release of Pro Tools 8.1 came HEAT. HEAT (Harmonically Enhanced Algorithm Technology) software allowed customers to add the realism of vintage analogue sound to the Pro Tools mixer via a single global control, eliminating the time-consuming and complex task of managing plug-in changes across multiple tracks and allowing customers to remain focused on the craft of mixing.

Designed in collaboration with engineer Dave Hill of Crane Song, the HEAT software option for Pro Tools HD systems was an innovation for mixers who valued the warmth and sound qualities of tubes, tape machines and analog consoles, but wanted to eliminate the complications and expenses of using tape machines and vintage outboard processors, or managing plug-in changes across multiple tracks.

What Is In The Avid Complete Plug-in Bundle?

The Avid Complete Plug-in Bundle offers almost all the Avid plug-ins, some 75 plug-ins. There are a few Avid plug-ins that are not included in the Avid Complete Plugin Bundle including Aphex Aural Exciter and Big Bottom for licensing reasons.

]]>Drum Tracking - How To Get A Big Room Sound From Your Small Room - Expert Video TutorialTutorialPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertSat, 24 Aug 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/08/09/drum-tracking-how-to-cheat-a-big-room-sound-from-a-small-room-expert-tutorial54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d4d81a51cba5b0001dc18f7In this extended premium tutorial, Pro Tools Expert team member Julian
Rodgers revisits a drum tracking session from some time ago in which he
used a small room just off the tracking room as somewhere to put an extra
mic for ambience. It was a carpeted room with a suspended ceiling and as a
result was very dry but it only took a minute to put a PZM on the floor and
create an extra track so why not?
On returning to the session Julian decided to see whether he could make .
something useful out of this dry, distant mic. See how he got on with this
and some other tricks he used to control his drum sound.

Drum tracking is so much fun and more than any other area of band recording encourages experimentation. Sometimes trying something new works, sometimes it ends up being a dead end but in the spirit of “nothing ventured, nothing gained” it’s still worth trying things. There are no bad ideas, just bad decisions…

In this extended premium video tutorial, Pro Tools Expert team member Julian Rodgers revisits a drum tracking session from some time ago in which he used a small room just off the tracking room as somewhere to put an extra mic for ambience. It was a carpeted room with a suspended ceiling and as a result was very dry but it only took a minute to put a PZM on the floor and create an extra track so why not?

On returning to the session Julian decided to see whether he could make something useful out of this dry, distant mic. Watch the video to see how he got on with this and some other tricks he used to control his drum sound.

How Can I Watch This Video?

Firstly you can watch the preview section of this video for free, no charge and with no signup. The new shortcut is in that free section. If you have not yet signed up to the new platform, and you want to watch the rest of this video, and hundreds more like it, then you can by signing up for a free 7-day trial. If you aren't satisfied it is a good deal then cancel the subscription within the 7 day trial period and it won't cost you a penny. If you like it then for just $3.99 per month you can watch this and hundreds more videos like it.

If you are already an existing subscriber to our video tutorial platform, then thank you for your support and you will be able to watch this video all the way through.

]]>Drum Tracking - How To Get A Big Room Sound From Your Small Room - Expert Video TutorialFriday Free Plug-in - FAT Filter By SoundspotPlug-inJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertFri, 23 Aug 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/08/13/friday-free-plug-in-fat-filter-by-soundspot54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d52cb8ad511a7000172f3a4FAT Filter is a resonant filter plug-in with a high pass and a low pass
mode. It has a healthy resonant peak which, while it doesn’t
self-oscillate, accentuates sweeps nicely. It is smooth, with no zipper
noises even under extreme provocation from automation moves and in high
pass mode can introduce huge dollops of low end to kicks drums. Try it!

In this week's Friday Free Plug-in, we are featuring FAT Filter from Soundspot, a resonant filter plug-in.

What Is FAT Filter?

FAT Filter is a resonant filter plug-in with a high pass and a low pass mode. It has a healthy resonant peak which, while it doesn’t self-oscillate, accentuates sweeps nicely. It is smooth, with no zipper noises even under extreme provocation from automation moves and in high pass mode can introduce huge dollops of low end to kicks drums. Try it!

How Do I Get This Plug-in?

Go to the Soundspot Website and make a $0 purchase. You’ll have to provide your name and an email address.

FAT filter is a free plug-in and no iLok is required to run it. It is available for Mac or PC in VST, AU and AAX.

]]>How To Check Your Pro Tools Session Is Self Contained - FREE Expert TipTipPro ToolsJulian Rodgers - Pro Tools ExpertWed, 21 Aug 2019 06:30:00 +0000https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2019/08/06/how-to-check-your-pro-tools-session-is-self-contained-free-expert-tip54d696e5e4b05ca7b54cff5c:55021246e4b0781cf3b85ed3:5d4857c3511aa1000170fc6fWe’ve all had the dreaded missing files dialog pop up when moving or
restoring a Pro Tools session. You can avoid this by using Save Copy and
ticking the All Audio Files checkbox but that extra time might be
unnecessary as your session could be fine. How can you check?

We’ve all had the dreaded missing files dialog pop up when moving or restoring a Pro Tools session. You can avoid this by using Save Copy and ticking the All Audio Files checkbox but that extra time might be unnecessary as your session could be fine. How can you check?

Watch the free video tutorial to see how simple it is to use Show Full Path to verify everything is where it should be, before saving a, possibly unnecessary, new copy.

Pro Tools Shortcuts - I’m not sure anyone knows them all, they aren’t even all in the manual and because they are fixed, they are a common language across all Pro Tools systems. However many you know, you can guarantee there’s more out there that could make your day better.

In this premium video tutorial Julian demonstrates 12 of his favourite shortcuts, actually there are more than 12 as some shortcuts are closely related to each other but in these 12 shortcut subjects, Julian shares some of his favourites and there might well be some in here you haven’t come across already. Don’t worry, the usual suspects like Command+Equals for Mix/Edit window and R and T for zoom certainly aren’t in there!

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